Newsletter

Augusta Sears TV scam suspect identified

Investigators have identified a man wanted for tricking people into giving him cash to buy TVs at Sears at the Augusta Mall.

Emanuel Randolph Bing, 36, is wanted for several counts of felony theft by taking and theft by shoplifting, Richmond County Sheriff's Investigator Aaron Hannsz said in a news release.

Investigators received numerous calls from the public after video of Bing inside the Sears store was distributed to the local media, he said. Also know by his nickname "Man," Bing is believed to have told several people who could buy them expensive TVs at discounted prices from the store.

When the victims gave him the cash for the TVs, he would pretend to purchase it then flee the store. Bing has been seen selling CDs from the back of his vehicle in the parking lots of stores in Richmond, Columbia and McDuffie counties, Hannsz said.

He is also known to frequent hotels along Interstate 20. Anyone with information on Bing can contact the sheriff's office at (706) 821-1080 or (706) 821-1020.